Council encourages respectful and safe enjoyment of Southend seafront as civic pride grows

June 4, 2025

As Southend’s seafront gears up for another busy summer, Southend-on-Sea City Council is reminding residents and visitors of the Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) in place to help keep everyone safe and ensure a great day out for all.

The PSPOs cover a range of activities, including a ban on barbecues on all Southend beaches, restrictions on the use of personal watercraft (PWC) such as jet skis, and seasonal dog control orders, which mean no dogs are allowed on Southend beaches between 1 May and 30 September.

Visitors are also reminded that antisocial behaviours such as drinking alcohol in restricted areas and littering are prohibited under the PSPO. These rules help maintain a clean, welcoming environment for everyone. Signage is in place along the seafront to guide visitors on what is and isn’t allowed.

These measures are designed to reduce the risk of accidents, protect public safety, and minimise unnecessary strain on emergency services and the RNLI.

Cllr Martin Terry, cabinet member for community safety and regulatory services, says: “We want everyone to enjoy Southend’s beautiful seafront, but we also need people to respect the measures that are in place to keep everyone safe.

“Discarded barbecues can cause injuries, dogs on busy beaches can create safety and hygiene risks, and reckless use of jet skis puts swimmers and paddleboarders at real risk.

“These PSPOs aren’t about stopping people from having fun, they’re about making sure no one gets hurt and that our emergency services aren’t called out to avoidable incidents. We’re simply asking people to enjoy themselves responsibly and do their bit to show civic pride, so everyone can have a great time by the sea.”

Cllr Matt Dent, cabinet member for business, culture, music and tourism, adds: “Southend is bucking the national trend for seaside towns, we’re seeing more investment, more visitors, and a growing sense of civic pride among our residents. People are proud to call Southend home, and we want that pride to continue and grow.

“We’re asking visitors from near and far to help keep that positive momentum going, to respect our city, enjoy everything it has to offer, and play their part in keeping Southend a vibrant, welcoming place for everyone.”

The council encourages visitors to check the measures before they travel and help keep the seafront a safe and enjoyable place for all.

You can read more about the city’s PSPOs here: Public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) – Southend-on-Sea City Council